Galactic 01

Galactic 01, previously referred to as Unity 23, was a sub-orbital spaceflight of the SpaceShipTwo-class VSS Unity which launched on 29 June 2023.[1] The launch was the first commercial spaceflight for Virgin Galactic.[2] A research mission for the Italian Air Force,[3] the crew consisted of pilots Michael Masucci and Nicola Pecile as well as crew members Colin Bennett, Walter Villadei, Angelo Landolfi, and Pantaleone Carlucci (National Research Council of Italy - CNR). The flight was postponed from its original planned October 2021 flight date for Virgin Galactic to upgrade its SpaceShipTwo vehicles.[4][5]

Galactic 01
VSS Unity in February 2016
NamesGalactic 01 (official)
Virgin Galactic Unity 23 (former)
Mission typeCrewed suborbital spaceflight
OperatorVirgin Galactic
Apogee85.1 km (52.9 mi)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftVSS Unity
Spacecraft typeSpaceShipTwo
ManufacturerThe Spaceship Company
Crew
Members
Start of mission
Launch date29 June 2023 14:30:00 UTC
Launch siteSpaceport America Runway 34
Deployed fromVMS Eve
End of mission
Landing date29 June 2023 15:42:28 UTC
Landing siteSpaceport America Runway 34
 

During the flight, Villadei wore a suit to measure biometric data and his physiological responses to spaceflight. Landolfi carried out experiments on the effects of microgravity on cognitive performance, along with its effects on how materials mix. Carlucci's heart rate and other metrics were monitored through sensors during the flight.[6]

Crew
Position Crew
Commander United States Michael Masucci
Fourth spaceflight
Pilot Italy Nicola Pecile
First spaceflight
Mission manager Italy Walter Villadei
First spaceflight
Researcher Italy Pantaleone Carlucci
First spaceflight
Doctor Italy Angelo Landolfi
First spaceflight
Astronaut instructor United Kingdom Colin Bennett
Second spaceflight

Usually, every crew on a space mission has backup crewmembers. In fact, in a Virgin Galactic video promoting Galactic 01, we also see Lucia Paciucci, an engineer from the Italian National Research Council.[7]

References
  1. WATCH LIVE: Galactic 01 Spaceflight, retrieved 28 June 2023
  2. Virgin Galactic completes first commercial flight in major step for space tourism company
  3. Davenport, Justin (25 May 2023). "VSS Unity conducts first powered flight since Branson's trip in 2021". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  4. @virgingalactic (14 October 2021). "Flight test program update" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. Foust, Jeff (15 October 2021). "Virgin Galactic postpones SpaceShipTwo flight, begins maintenance period". SpaceNews. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  6. updated, Mike Wall last (2 September 2021). "Virgin Galactic announces crew for next launch to suborbital space". Space.com. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  7. "Quattro italiani in volo con Virgin Galactic il 29 giugno: Per Aeronautica militare e CNR missione Virtute dal New Mexico. Lo spazioporto a Grottaglie Video". 15 June 2023.
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